Every country has its different customs when visiting other people's homes for a dinner party. It's important to know these before visiting a foreign country, so that you can avoid making embarrassing mistakes. Three people from different countries explain how to behave at a dinner party there.
Masako, Japan
The first thing to remember when visiting a Japanese home for dinner is that you should always dress correctly, as if going to the office. Casual wear is not appropriate. When you meet someone in Japan you should always bow. A deep bow is suitable for someone older or senior to you, while a short bow is suitable for younger people or your peers. Remember to take off your shoes when you enter the house. Always take a gift when you visit a Japanese home. Your host will expect it. It is important to arrive on time, and certainly not more than five minutes late. Don't sit down at the table until your host tells you where to sit. When you have finished eating and drinking, return your chopsticks to the chopstick rest, and do not finish your glass. If you do so, your host will pour more into the glass.
Mamadou, Senegal
Don't be surprised if there are only men or only women at your table when you go out to dinner in Senegal. Men and women sometimes eat separately in nay country. Wait until your host tells you where to sit. We normally sit on the floor to eat. First, everyone washes their hands in a washing basin. When the food comes it will be placed in front of you, and at first you will be offered food from the dishes by your host. Later you can serve yourself from the dishes, but make sure you do not lean over the food. Take food from the part of the bowl closest to you. Try a little of everything. It is polite to do so. Please make sure your feet do not touch the mat on which the food is placed.
Luis, Spain
Spanish dinner parties are great fun. We often start late in the evening and don't get up to leave until the small hours of the morning. I think you will enjoy going out to dinner in Spain. Firstly, never arrive on time. Fifteen or twenty minutes late is normal. Shake hands with your host, smile and look him in the eye. If he offers you a cup of coffee, be sure to accept it. Not to do so would be to reject your host' s kindness. A gift is not necessary, but will be welcomed. Food is served on individual plates, western-style, and is eaten with a knife and fork. Keep your hands where others can see them during the meal, but don' t put your elbows on the table. When you have finished, put your knife and fork at an angle on the plate. Try to finish your food if you can!
72. What is the purpose of the writer in writing this passage?
A. To introduce some customs in foreign countries.
B. To tell stories about three people at dinner parties.
C. To avoid making embarrassing mistakes when dining abroad.
D. To show the importance of cultural awareness when travelling abroad.
73. From Masako's explanation, we can know that in Japan _________.
A. young people bow not so deeply as older or senior people
B. old people don't have to bow to young people
C. young people do not bow deeply to those of the same age
D. all people should bow deeply to each other when they meet
74. Which of the following should a guest in Senegal do when the food is served?
A. Wait until the host asks him/her to eat. B. Don't eat until the host helps him/her.
C. Help himself/herself to anything he likes. D. Eat up the food from the closest plate.
75. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The Japanese sit on the floor and eat in front of a mat.
B. The Senegalese sit on the floor and eat at a table.
C. The Spanish sit at a table and eat with chopsticks.
D. The Japanese sit at a table and eat with chopsticks.
